How to Activate eSIM on iPhone?

Apple is planning to phase out the use of physical SIM cards in the next five years. That’s why you need to be aware of how to activate an eSIM on your iPhone.

Before you go any further, take a few minutes to read eSIM information. It's the bigger-picture read that frames everything else — the basics most people skim past, the assumptions that don't actually hold once you're on the ground, and the sequencing of choices that quietly shapes the rest of the trip. Treat it as the map; what follows here is one of the roads on it.

eSIMs are a substitute for the physical SIM card. They're embedded directly into the device's circuitry, so you won't have to swap them like physical SIM cards. An eSIM allows you to activate a cellular plan by directly contacting your carrier services.

Speaking of which — eSIM information is the natural next read after this one. It follows the same kind of thinking but tackles the bits this article doesn't have room to cover properly: the edge cases, the carrier-specific quirks, and the things you only really notice once you've actually been through the process yourself. Worth a few minutes if any of the above raised more questions than it answered.

Apple allows you to store eight or more eSIMs on an iPhone, out of which you can use two eSIMs simultaneously. Wondering how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone? Let’s talk about it.

Setting Up an eSIM on an iPhone

Activating an eSIM on your iPhone is easy because of clear on-screen instructions. You can directly activate an eSIM while activating your iPhone if your cellular network allows eSIM Quick Transfer or Carrier Activation.

Whilst we're on the topic, How to Activate Your Travel Physical SIM Card is worth opening in a second tab. It picks up where this piece leaves off and goes a layer deeper on the same theme — same kind of travellers, similar questions, just a slightly different angle. If you came to this article looking for one specific answer and ended up with three more questions, that next read tends to be where most of them get resolved without sending you on a chase through unrelated material.

Whilst we're on the topic, How to Activate Your Travel Physical SIM Card is worth opening in a second tab. It picks up where this piece leaves off and goes a layer deeper on the same theme — same kind of travellers, similar questions, just a slightly different angle. If you came to this article looking for one specific answer and ended up with three more questions, that next read tends to be where most of them get resolved without sending you on a chase through unrelated material.

An eSIM Quick Transfer happens when you transfer from your previous iPhone to a newer model without changing your carrier. However, an eSIM Carrier Activation happens when you contact your carrier to assign an eSIM to your iPhone at the time of purchase.

Whilst we're on the topic, A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers is worth opening in a second tab. It picks up where this piece leaves off and goes a layer deeper on the same theme — same kind of travellers, similar questions, just a slightly different angle. If you came to this article looking for one specific answer and ended up with three more questions, that next read tends to be where most of them get resolved without sending you on a chase through unrelated material.

Using either of the methods requires you to activate your eSIM by following the on-screen instructions. You can also use a QR code to activate your eSIM if the on-screen instructions don’t pop up. The eSIM can also be activated later on.

Let’s look at some of these methods in more detail.

How to Use eSIM Quick Transfer

Some carriers require you to contact them when activating an eSIM. If you’re upgrading your iPhone, you’ll only need eSIM Quick Transfer. You can also convert your physical SIM to an eSIM.

When setting up your iPhone, you'll probably be asked to transfer your SIM and follow some instructions. If you plan on adding more SIMs, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Open “Settings” and go to the “Cellular” tab. Click on "Add Cellular Plan."
2. Choose the cellular plan you want to transfer to your new device.
3. Follow the instructions and confirm the transfer with your previous iPhone.
4. When the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates, the previous SIM will deactivate.
5. Contact your carrier if the eSIM fails to activate.

Convert Physical SIM to an eSIM

If you’re going from a physical SIM to a new eSIM, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap "Convert to eSIM” in the cellular tab.
2. If you don't see this option, your carrier does not support eSIM. You’ll have to change your carrier service if you want to use an eSIM.
3. Tap on “Convert Cellular Plan” at the bottom.
4. Wait for your eSIM to activate. You can remove your physical SIM because the SIM card automatically deactivates after eSIM activation.
5. Restart your phone.

Scan QR Code

Some carriers do not support the above options, so you'll have to use a QR code issued by your carrier. Follow the steps below to activate eSIM through a QR code.

1. Set up your eSIM by tapping on the “Use QR Code” option in the “Cellular” tab.
2. Follow the instructions that pop up.
3. Open the camera to scan the QR code.
4. When the camera detects the cellular plan, tap on the notification.
5. Add the cellular plan.

Thanks for visiting our blog, are you planing to travel to Europe? Check out our range UK SIM card before you take off.

Before you take off make sure to check with local government of the travel status.